About Lesley
Ko Ruapehu tōku māunga
Ko Whanganui tōku awa
Ko Aotea tōku waka
Ko Ngaati Haaua ko Ngawairiki oku iwi
Ko Whakatāne tōku kāinga inaianei
Ko Anne raua ko John Keene ōku mātua
Ko Lesley Immink tōku ingoa
My mountain is Ruapehu
My river is Whanganui
My canoe is Aotea
My tribal descent is Ngaati Haua and Ngawairiki
My home is in Whakatāne
My parents are Anne and John Keene
My name is Lesley Immink
Kia ora koutou katoa and hello! I grew up in Kawerau and have lived in Whakatāne for 30 years. I am of European and Māori descent, affiliated with Ngaati Haaua and Ngawairiki iwi.
I am an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the tourism industry and corporate leadership – skilled in strategic business planning, product development and marketing, governance and transformative organisation change.
My business background includes three local businesses, NZ Educational Tours, our Tour Guide Training School and the Chocolate Fern Company of NZ. NZ Educational Tours was an inbound tour company and winner of multiple tourism, business, environmental and sustainable awards.
From 2011 - 2017 I was the Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council NZ, which is the commercial trading organisation of tourism in New Zealand. This was an executive leadership role, representing the tourism industry operators to Central Government and MBIE on a wide range of issues.
In 2017 I ran for national politics as the East Coast representative for TOP - The Opportunities Party. It was an informative and rewarding experience which enabled me to reconnect with the community.
I’m delighted to be serving as a current Whakatane District Councillor and when not doing these duties. I work and own tourism consultancy, TBA – Tourism Business Advice, advising on tourism and cultural economic development experiences throughout New Zealand.
I’ve served on numerous committees and boards at local and national level and currently Chair of Te Aka Toitū and Central Bay Hockey Trusts in the Eastern Bay, volunteering my time to several other local charitable organisations.
“I am the best person to lead the community in the next phase of economic development initiatives and who will be prudent with ratepayer dollars. My professional and business life has been about making the right decisions, in the right time, at the right price and for the right outcome”.
Business Achievements
PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Education & Training Award 2016 - Young TEC
NZ Export Industry NZ - SME Business Case Study, Intellectual Property Protection (2008)
HER Businesswoman of the Year Finalist & Special Achievement Award (2003)
NZ & BOP Environmental & Business Sustainable Awards (2003)
NZ Entrepreneurs in Action - Tourism SME Case Study (2002)
NZ Tourism Award Winner - Organised Group Tours & Touring (2001-2002)
NZ Tourism Award Winner - Best Small Operator (2000)
National Membership & Governance Experience
Member – Tourism Export Council NZ (current)
Member -Tourism Industry Association (current)
Member – NZ Māori Tourism & Maori Business Network (2000-2019)
New Zealand Travel Industry Awards Judge (2012-2017)
National International Education Marketing Network Advisory Group (2001 - 2005)
NZ Fertility Society Executive Committee (1990 - 1998)
EBOP Community Experience
Board Chair – Central Bay of Plenty Hockey Trust (2001 - current)
Board Chair – Te Aka Toitū Trust (2018 - current)
Whakatāne Homelessness Action Team - committee member (2019 - current)
Rotary Whakatāne Sunrise - Rotarian (2018 - current)
Board Member - Eastern Bay Energy Trust (2004-2006)
Board Member (founding) – Eastern BOP Economic Development Board (1998 - 2005)
Committee Member – Whakatane District Information & Promotions Association (1990s)
“Quality is never an accident –
it is the result of intelligent effort.”
My vision for the Whakatāne District is to create a vibrant, diverse and sustainable community
Where young people have hope for a bright future
Where the elderly are valued and respected
Where our culture is honoured
Where the economy thrives and creates new employment
Where the environment is sustainably managed
To achieve this I commit to improving three key areas:
Engagement
Our council needs to make decisions with us, not for us!
Council Communication:
Connecting and working with the community boards before key decisions will be more inclusive. I will ensure that Council meeting minutes and submission plans (and changes to) will be made available to the public for better transparency.
Representation:
I will do my best to encourage more diverse representation to enable the right decisions - commercial and cultural are made for the District and its people going forward. This includes the promotion of a Youth Council representative (being a non-elected member of council) participating with decision making.
Equitable Community Services:
While Whakatāne is the commercial hub of the District, we need improved services and facilities across the wider region so all communities can benefit from living in their special place.
Environment
3 Waters – Stormwater, Wastewater and Drinking water:
This will be a priority. We will investigate best practice, effective water infrastructure solutions and keep pressure on BOP Regional Council and Central Government to assist with appropriate funding and intelligence support.
Climate Change Commitment:
Our relationship with BOP Regional Council and iwi is crucial going forward. Council needs to engage more with iwi about the impacts and mitigation of climate change. I will be a strong advocate to ensure climate change education is promoted to the wider community so they are informed at the outset of decision making about our future.
Waste Management:
I will explore new waste management and recycling options with a goal of reducing 75% of landfill waste by 2030.
Economy
For a more productive and profitable future we need to:
Rates and Services:
Develop a revenue generation strategy in terms of new and aged rates recovery and investigate a commercial investment entity for the future protection of council assets.
Rating models will continue to be a key driver in Council’s decision making. It’s a delicate balance between rating affordability and maintaining core services, supporting projects and activities that reap returns for the District – be it economic, social, cultural or environmental. The rating model is not sustainable so we need to look at disposing of non-performing assets and supporting greater self-reliance within the community which will help to grow our economy and opportunities for businesses.
Review council staff and external contractor services costs and management to avoid unnecessary cost over-runs on community infrastructure and special projects.
New Initiatives:
Increase our number of ratepayers by development of new lifestyle retirement options which could include Tiny Home Villages across the District, a boutique hotel with visitor and resident accommodation and recruitment of young families to the region.
Develop new world-class tourism attractions to attract international and domestic visitors. See vision map of examples.
“Leadership is not about status. It is not about positional power. Ultimately leadership is about creating new realities.”
Vision Map
“As your Mayor I commit to building a community that is economically strong, vibrant and diverse – a District we can all proudly call home.”
Polls
Have a say in the decisions.
What’s your opinion?
Support
Donate
Running a campaign can be expensive so if you can, please donate.
Here’s what your donation would assist with:
$5-100 We can promote some Facebook and Instagram posts, letting more people know what we’re about.
$100+ We’ll put this towards getting posters, hoardings, brochures, newspaper and radio advertising.
If you can’t donate, but would still like to support, you can always volunteer. e.g, brochure drops, erect signage etc.
Enter your email address here and someone from the team will contact you.
How To Vote
Check you are enrolled for Whakatāne-Ohope Ward. You should have already received your enrolment details by post. If you haven’t received anything in the post yet, check you’re enrolled here.
Jump on Elections.org.nz and enrol using your RealMe account.
You can also find enrolment forms online to print, fill out, send back in post or scan and upload online.
Are you an out of town landlord? You can still vote as a non-resident voter by registering with the local Whakatāne electoral office.
View the ward map to see if you are part of the district.
Media & Campaign Events
• Meet Lesley At Ōhope Craft Markets - Saturday 5th October, 8:00am onwards, will have a stall outside so come and say hi!
• Ohope Lions Club Meeting - Mayoral & council candidates, Sunday 6th October, 2pm, onwards at Ōhope Chartered Club
That’s it for speaking events this election!
Watch this space for for other events and updates.
Informational brochure
This is to help illustrate the key points of my campaign. Take a look at my key points and get in touch if you have any questions.